PODCAST- IMLA's 5 things to know for January 4th, 2018.<https://soundcloud.com/internationalmunicipallawyersassociation/5-things-to-know-for-january-4> Click here<http://imla.org/images/links/IMLA-Podcast-Jan42.pdf> to view the script/links or see below. *Follow us on SoundCloud, iTunes or the Google Play store!! For the International Municipal Lawyer's Association - IMLA's 5 things to know for January 4th 1. According to reports, Attorney General Sessions will release the U.S. Attorneys for each state to do as they see fit in enforcing federal laws prohibiting sale and use of marijuana regardless of a state's efforts to legalize its use. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-takes-aim-at-legalized-marijuana/ar-BBHRo7X 2. In Indiana, a lead worker has sued under the ADA based on the worker's efforts to accommodate a person with extreme body odor. The lead worker bought and used air fresheners in the office and when other employees followed suit, the worker whose body odor triggered the reaction complained that the lead worker had created a hostile work environment leading to the worker's discharge from employment. I admit to having a hard time following the logic of this case - the disabled worker complains about a hostile work environment created by someone who then sues under the ADA claiming association with the disability? Smells strange to me. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/01/02/lawsuit-against-indianapolis-stems-workers-chronic-body-odor/987393001/ 3. For those locked in the bitter grip of winter turn back the clock and pick up some great books about lawyers - Courtroom by Quentin Reynolds chronicles the life of Sam Leibowitz one of the great trial lawyers of the mid 20th Century. While the book was a #1 bestseller, Reynolds' suit against Westbrook Pegler for defamation resulted in a significant verdict in Reynolds' favor and famed attorney Louis Nizer discussed his representation of Reynolds in another great book "My Life in Court". 4. In New York, Governor Cuomo outlined a number of justice reforms he is proposing including the elimination of bail for non-violent crimes. Apparently, the concept will face stiff opposition from the legislature. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cuomo-eliminate-monetary-bail-non-violent-criminals-article-1.3735147 5. While we were away, the 10th Circuit decided a case with some facts that tend to make you cringe, but with an interesting result. When officers stopped a woman driving a van with her five children things went smoothly enough at first, but one thing led to another and she drove off. Ultimately, an officer fired at the van several times and missed. He claimed to be shooting at the tires. She sued asserting excessive force violations under the 4th Amendment, but the 10th Circuit concluded that neither she, nor any member of the family was seized - therefor, no constitutional violation. http://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/16/16-2216.pdf We've upgraded our website, we've developed some terrific programming and we're working on amicus briefs in a host of cases. IMLA's Distance Learning program offers timely discussion on current topics not just for lawyers. The issues discussed inform policies and discussions across the spectrum of local government officials' need to know. Joining IMLA allows members to get up to date training and information on a wide range of legal issues. Sign up at www.imla.org<http://www.imla.org>. Not a member? Contact us. Have a great day, make it an inspirational one and make 2018 exceptional. Charles W. Thompson, Jr. Executive Director and General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association, Inc. 51 Monroe Street Suite 404 Rockville, Maryland 20850 202-466-5424 x7110 Direct: 202-742-1016 Cell: 240-876-6790 Plan ahead: IMLA's Annual Seminar and Section 1983 Defense Conference - April 20- April 23, 2018 Washington, DC Support Houston! Come to our Annual Conference in beautiful downtown Houston - October 17-21, 2018 - Come to both Seminar and Conference for bundled rate at www.imla.org<http://www.imla.org/> [cid:image001.png@01D362C7.24D32E30]<https://www.facebook.com/IMLA-259977855541/>[cid:image002.png@01D362C7.24D32E30]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/15375790/> [cid:image003.png@01D362C7.24D32E30] <https://twitter.com/imlalegal> [SoundCloud Icon] <https://soundcloud.com/internationalmunicipallawyersassociation>